Electrochemical treatment of metal-bearing material.



W. H. JAMES.

ELECTROCHEMICAL TREATMENT OF METAL BEARING MATERIAL APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 6. I913.

1 ,1 84,456, Patented May 23, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W. H. JAMES. mcmocwmncm. mm'mm OF METAL ammo MATERIAL:

APPUCRHUN FELEU SEPT 5, L953- 1 1 fig fifjfi Patented May 23, 1916 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFlfiE,

WILLIAM HOLMAN JAMES,

OF JOHANNESBURG.

ASSIGNOR. BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO NEVA/ REFRACTORY ORES LIMITED. 01: JOHANNESBUBG, TRANSVAAL SOUTH AFRICA. A COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE ORANGE FREE STATE.

ELECTRQCHEMICAL TREATMENT OF METAL-BEARING MATERIAL.

Application filed September '6. 1513.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1916.

Serial No. 788.447.

'lhcfv :u'u rcmm'uii in any suitnhh: manner; in) ihslzimv gi'nphiw may float {0 H10 suri'ui-v (if thiiii uid and may he skimmui off.

As :1 mic thh zu'iii viochnlytic pi-mhu-t ii zimiiiliwi the resultant neutral solution is returned by pump 7 and pipe 8 t the electrolyzer 1s a source of Supply of electrical energy to electrolyzer 3.

"I, or suitable apparatus for the recovc In carrying; the invention into etl ect. it is preferred to supply the electrolyzcr with sodium chhe-id solution. which may be fed in from the supply tanl; it). The current from source 9 ionizes the solution, and the portion of the latter in the vicinity of the anode is \vithdrz an in the nascent state by pipe 4.

The ore in vat l, which may be a raw gold ore containing unaltered iron, copper or other metal compounds, attat .d by the solution brought in by pipe 4. The base metals are dissolved and passed ott in ,solution by pipe 11 direct to sump 5, as in Fig.

l 01 its metal value before it arrives at sump 5. Such apparatus is indicated in Fig". II by boxes 12, 13, 14 controlled by suitable valves 15. ln sump 5 the solution meets with the sodiunrcontaining solution passed from elcctrolyzer S b pipe (3. Mixture of these solutions tends. by neutralizing them, to precipitate any metal rcmainint, in the solution which was passed through rat 1. The neutralized solution is thereafter passed by pump 7 and pipe is; back to the electrolyzer $5 and the cycle is completed.

\Vhcn sullicient of the refractory constitle ent of the orc in vat 1 has been dissolved out as above described, to render the gold amenable to the ordinary extraction processes, the circulation of the solution through rat 1 is stopped and the solution remaining, in it is replaced by cyanid or other solution for the recovery of the gold. Said latter solution may be admitted by pipe Hi. The pregnant cyanid or other solution may be made to leave the vat by pipe It and the valves 15, which are so set as to cause it to pass through a suitable box, such as 13, containrng zinc, aluminium or other substance for the precipitation of its gold contents.

What I claim is l. The process of treating refractory precious metal ore of the nature. hercinbefore described, which consists in electrolyzirr; a solution of a salt of a mineral acid, withdrawin j separately from the electrolytic circuit the portion of the solution in the vicinity of ne of the electrodes, treating the orc therewith until the refractory constituents are dissolved and removing the solution and with it the refractory constituents. where by he ore is left amenable to the ort linary cyanid process for the extraction of the precious metal.

2. The process oi treating; refractory precious metal ore of the nature hcrcinlwlore described, which consists in elcctrolyxing a solution of a salt of a mineral acid, withdrawing separately from the electrolyticcircuit the portion of the solution in the vicinity of the anode, treating, the ore therewith until the refractory constituents are dis solved and removing the solution and with it the refractory constituents, whereby the ore is left amenable to the ordinauy cyanid process, for the extraction of the precious metal.

3. The process of tltntilltf rcl'iactory prccions metal ore of thc naturehcrein| efore described. which consists in clcctrolyzing a solution of sodium chlorid, withdrawing separatcly from the electrolytic circuit the portion of the solution in the vicinity of'thc anode, treatine the ore therewith until the rcl'rzu'torv constitncnts are dissolved and remorin; the solution and with it the refrac tor constituents, whereby the ore is left amenable to the ordinary cyanid process for the extraction of the precious metal.

ln tc timony whereof I allix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\Y i l ncsscs:

\ViisLI-n' 1). Jon N, (lnauiais l). lluxnnnsoa. 

